Archive for the ‘nordic skiing’ Tag
Getting into the spirit of racing in middle school
While in the winter the Tahoe region might be best known for it’s downhill skiing, with Tahoe Donner Cross-Country, Royal Gorge, Tahoe Cross-Country and Northstar’s cross-country venue all right here, the North Tahoe/Truckee area is the greatest concentration of groomed Nordic skiing in North America. People head to the cross-country ski areas for a great aerobic workout and the wonderful views, but once cross-country skiing gets into your blood, it is the great spirit and devotion to the sport that you see from your fellow skiers, and in my case, fellow parents of children who race, that makes this activity such a great part of our community.
Middle school girls racing at Auburn Ski Club
While us Nordic folks have to admit that cross-country skiing is a poorer step child to the big downhill resorts, cross-country skiers are just as devoted and excited about their sport as those who get to the lifts early to catch the powder. And they pass it on to their kids. At Tahoe Cross-Country in Tahoe City, for example, there are over 250 kids in the Strider-Glider’s after school cross-country ski program and the North Tahoe Middle School has over 50 kids on their cross-country ski team, with a total school enrollment of only about 300 kids.
The interest amongst Truckee kids and their parents is equally strong, including my twin children who began cross-country skiing when they were 5 at the Auburn Ski Club, then went on to race for the Alder Creek Middle School, then the Truckee High School Nordic team as well as the Far West Nordic Team. While a busy real estate business has kept me from attending all of their races, I try to get to as many as I can and what I see is the best of what Tahoe and Truckee has to offer. Not only do I see kids with a wide range of abilities doing their best in a challenging sport, but I see parents and other locals waxing skis, helping out with training, and driving car loads full of kids hundreds of miles to watch kids ski. Why? To introduce their children to a healthy, outdoor sport that you can do for a lifetime. Right here, in the best place to cross-country ski in America.
Share this: Lynn Richardson, Your Friend in High Places
One of the things that makes Tahoe and Truckee the wonderful places they are is The Great Ski Race. After having to cancel last year due to a lack of snow, the race is back for it’s 37th rendition this year.
At 9:00 am on March 3rd, the first of a number of waves of skiers will set off from Tahoe Cross-Country Ski Area near Tahoe City. The fastest racer will fly over Starratt Pass and make the 30 kilometer jaunt to Cottonwood Lodge just above downtown Truckee in about one hour and ten minutes. Lots of top skate skiers will race to the finish in under two hours, determined to show themselves that they still got it. On the other hand, there are a large group of skiers who are just out to enjoy the day, they stop at the two soup stations along the route to enjoy a snack, and then saunter on down to the finish line. The last of the nearly 1000 racers may take five hours or more to reach the final steep hill before the finish.
Sure, The Great Ski Race is a big cross-country ski race, the biggest in the Western United States in fact, but more importantly it is a great community event. Many skiers do it every year, trying to best their previous times, or those of their friends. For others, they’ve been hearing about it for years, and have finally determined that this will be the year. The party at the end is a raucous celebration of winter, and for many the highlight of the day.
And it’s all for a good cause. The Great Ski Race is the major fundraiser for the Tahoe Nordic Search and Rescue Team. Those are the guys and gals that head out into blizzards to rescue lost skiers or whomever else made a wrong turn or found some bad luck at the wrong time. They have saved a lot of lives and the race helps give them the equipment and resources they need to keep their operation running smoothly and effectively. For more information go to www.thegreatskirace.com
Share this: Lynn Richardson, Your Friend in High Places
Here is what’s coming up in the week ahead in the Truckee/Tahoe area….
The annual Women’s Wellness Weekend is Nov. 10 and 11. Take some time for yourself – be inspired, relax and learn. To learn more please go to http://www.granlibakken.com/wellness.php
Ski Swaps
You may have miss the North Tahoe Ski Swap in October, but here are a few others coming up in November.
Truckee Ski Swap at the Truckee Community Recreation Center is TOMORROW, Nov. 3rd from 11 – 4.
UNR Ski Swap at the Reno Sparks Convention Center is Nov. 9, 10 and 11. This is a huge ski swap.
Tahoe Cross Country Ski Swap for Nordic gear is at Tahoe Cross Country Center in Tahoe City on Nov. 17th at 10 am.
For more information please see http://www.tahoe.com/2012/10/15/tahoe-ski-swaps/
Share this: Lynn Richardson, Your Friend in High Places
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